A lot is happening over at State. All the unfolding dialogue is giving us an idea of Obama’s foreign policy, as seen through his Secretary of State. They have to tell us where we’re going before you can weigh in on the flight path.
Today, Clinton and Mitchell met and also took questions. Regarding Hamas, Secretary Clinton:
QUESTION: — (inaudible) it’s clear that from the President’s first interview and from the first stop in Cairo that the Administration is making a concerted effort to send a signal of the priorities and the balance, and perhaps a rebalancing. Is that enough going in? Or, eventually, does there have to be a path, a diplomatic path to Hamas, in order to resolve Gaza? And if I could ask both of you, Madame Secretary.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Andrea, you know, we have a very clear policy toward Hamas, and Hamas knows the conditions that have been set forth. They must renounce violence. They must recognize Israel. And they must agree to abide by prior agreements that were entered into by the Palestinian Authority.
We are just at the beginning of this deep and consistent engagement that we are part of, that Senator Mitchell is leading for our Administration, but our conditions with respect to Hamas have not and will not change. It is our hope that the work that needs to be done to move the parties toward an effort to settle many of the disputes that they currently confront will be effective. But Hamas knows that it must stop the rocket fire into Israel. There were rockets yesterday, there were rockets this morning. And it is very difficult to ask any nation to do anything other than defend itself in the wake of that kind of consistent attack. So that’s not new news. You know what our position is. It is something that the President has set forth. [...]
On the abduction of the American in Quetta, Pakistan:
MR. WOOD (temporary spokesperson for State): Yeah, the only thing I can tell you is that an American citizen employed by the United Nations was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan, on Monday. And officials here in Washington are doing what we can to support the family and providing whatever services we can. But at this point, because of, you know, Privacy Act concerns, I can’t say very much more, I think you can understand, at this point.
QUESTION: Well, not really, since the UN has made his name public.
MR. WOOD: Well, from our standpoint, I can’t say any more at this point.
On Iran, Robert Wood, acting State spokesperson, made clear that “missile-related activities” were noted: “… UN Security Council Resolution 1718[1] prohibits Iran from engaging in missile-related activities. …”. Segue to State on the Iranian satellite launch:
Iran’s ongoing efforts to develop its missile delivery capabilities remain a matter of deep concern. Recently, Iran’s development of a space launch vehicle (SLV) capable of putting a satellite into orbit establishes the technical basis from which Iran could develop long-range ballistic missile systems. Many of the technological building blocks involved in SLVs are the same as those required to develop long-range ballistic missiles.
Working with the United Nations, we have passed a number of UN Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 1737, which require states to take the necessary measures to prevent the supply of, inter alia, specified equipment and technology that could contribute to Iran’s development of nuclear weapons delivery systems. We will continue with our friends and allies in the region to address the threats posed by Iran, including those related to its missile and nuclear programs and its support of terrorism.
Another clue into the Obama foreign policy through the lens of Secretary Clinton:
QUESTION: You know, with several years of diplomacy surrounding Iran’s nuclear program behind us now, from – with the EU-3 and the P-5+1, I think it’s clear that Iran is among the most predictable of the actors involved: They will continue to install centrifuges. Less reliable, it seems, are Russia and China, who will sometimes vote for sanctions on Iran and sometimes demand with the force of international law that they cease enrichment, but they don’t always behave in ways designed to give those documents meaning.
And so I wonder if you can address how this Administration can be more effective than its predecessor in developing the Russians and Chinese as more effective participants in this process.
MR. WOOD: Well, certainly, this Administration wants to engage Russia and China on these important issues to the international community. And Russia and China share our concern about what Iran has been doing, not only with regard to its nuclear program but, you know, with regard to missile technology. So we will, in the future, in discussions with both the Russians and the Chinese, and others, frankly, bring up this issue about Iran’s activities in both of these areas that I mentioned. And it’s of great concern what Iran has been doing, as I’ve mentioned before. So you can count on the fact that in future discussions in these two – with regard to these two countries, we’re going to raise those concerns.
QUESTION: They’ve been raised. Do you have concerns about the spotty record of the Russians and the Chinese with regard to Iran?
MR. WOOD: Well, I think, frankly, everyone can do better with regard to trying to limit Iran’s ability to act in these two particular areas of concern with regard to missile technology and its nuclear program. So it’s something we raise quite often with a number of countries, not just Russia and China. So you can expect that we will continue to do that.
All this began with a full schedule today, including breakfast with Biden. By all reports, it’s hard to imagine finding two happier professional pols more eager to start the day together.
But everyone was wondering where Secretary Clinton would travel first. Looks like it’s likely Japan, South Korea, and China. Not saying she’s visiting our bankers, excluding South Korea, but it’s obvious this part of the world is important.
art by Paul Szep (by permission)
Launching a payload into orbit by definition means an intercontinental ballistic capability.
Oh oh to bad Star Wars was just a pipe dream and not a reality.
The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Weapon System has had some promising successful tests. And the Boeing AIrborne Laser is moving along quite well.
Yeah, justlen, I guess maybe Iran believed that diplomacy met recess.
Justlen- I thought the airborne laser was just a concept that we did not have the technology to power and was being dropped in favor of magnetic rail guns.
Iceblinkjm says:
03 February 2009 at 3:02 pm
Justlen- I thought the airborne laser was just a concept that we did not have the technology to power and was being dropped in favor of magnetic rail guns.
They successfully tested targeting capability with a low power laser. A laser with kill capability has been installed in the 747 and is undergoing ground testing.
From what I’m reading, recently there was a breakthrough of sorts on magnetic rail guns. However, they’re in very early stages that includes creating material for the gun because it canabalizes itself eventually.
Well I’ll be, I guess I should check the Wiki before I speak. Way cool Justlen. I can only imagine the possibilities of the technology when we get something better than nuclear or fossil fuel based power. I hear Livermore has had some developments and are getting ready to start testing a new reactor design based off of lasers.
Taylor Marsh says:
03 February 2009 at 3:11 pm
Last I read they we 10-15 years out from achieving the power for a deployable system. The power requirements pretty much limit it to a Naval capability, I would think.
If anyone wants to see fictional rail guns in action I highly recommend that you check out Battlestar Galactica on the SciFi channel. They use them as their main weapons on the ships, except the Cylon Basestars which seem to just fire missiles.
justlen says:
03 February 2009 at 3:15 pm (Edit)
Yeah, that’s the only place they’re being used. Story the other day about how they have to come up with new materials by 2020 or else.
We can’t afford to wait around for some sort of fusion system. They have yet to have a net positive energy test and I have yet to see one even proposed yet.
But then again, I’m biased. I’m very much in favor of a lot more nuclear.
Iceblinkjm says:
03 February 2009 at 3:17 pm
I’m predicting the 5th Cylon is Darragh Murphy.
I’ve read some on the waste aspect, justlen, and I’m not convinced that’s where we should go at all.
Taylor Marsh says:
03 February 2009 at 3:19 pm
I’ve read some on the waste aspect, justlen, and I’m not convinced that’s where we should go at all.
Fast Breeders, re-burn the waste fuel. Utilize a standardized modern design and the cost of generation is on a par or lower than fossil.
Damn that Jimmy Carter, for banning them.
No matter what they do, biofuels are really a dead end. Net energy negative, driving up the cost of food, and do nothing for Co2 emissions.
Justlen- LOL ah no it turned out to be Ellen Tigh which surprised me none when they reveled Colonel Tigh as on the Final Five. I am just loving how they are wrapping this series up. I has to watch last fridays’ standing up.
It’s a small victory, but this is some change I can believe in:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100147494&sc=emaf
Civil rights, baby.
Iceblinkjm says:
03 February 2009 at 3:25 pm
Justlen- LOL ah no it turned out to be Ellen Tigh
*runs to check Tivo*
When did they start the final episodes? Which ones did I miss?
(My stepson in a dead man walking for putting “Walker, Texas Ranger” as #1 in the Season Passes)
Sorry I ruined it for you Justlen. When you watch it will make sense. Trust me.
And yes that is certainly change that I can believe in. I am glad.
When did they start up again?
Jan 16 I believe. We are 3 episodes into the season already and shit is really hitting the fan…
*rip of sleeve*
That kid is dead to me.
This could make things tough:
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2009/02/us-to-get-the-b.html
Justlen- Chuck Norris over BSG?!?!?! Yes he would be dead to me as well.
Taylor- ah there’s goes Afghanistan maybe. Sounds like Russia needs a regime change.
Justlen- io9.com should bring you up to speed and the episodes are up for viewing via streaming on Hulu.com and the SciFi website.
Iceblinkjm says:
03 February 2009 at 3:46 pm
I’m gonna bitchslap him with parental controls so bad he won’t get to watch the Sham-Wow dude.
I just manually scheduled the episodes I missed.
At least Taylor can’t say we are off-topic in regards to foreign policy.
justlen says:
03 February 2009 at 3:51 pm
I just manually scheduled the episodes I missed.
At least Taylor can’t say we are off-topic in regards to foreign policy.
______
I’m trying to figure out what the actual topic is….
magnetic laser railroads as near as I can figure….
GeoT says:
03 February 2009 at 4:03 pm
Cylon Pumas.
(adjusts tinfoil hat on my avatar)
Geez I leave for a couple hours and come back to two brand new threads. And by the way I love Ashley Judd’s new ad opposing her aerial hunting of wolves.
How do I get my avatar from wordpress to here.
Betsy, I think you have to have the same login and email address as your WordPress login.
Well, I couldn’t log on there as Betsy because it was already in use. So my log in is betsm at WordPress. But I do have the same email addy. I just did it so maybe it takes a bit for it to come over here.
And by the way I meant the new ad that Ashley Judd has against Palin’s aerial wolf hunting.
try to logon as betsm here.
justlen says:
03 February 2009 at 4:34 pm
Betsy, I think you have to have the same login and email address as your WordPress login.
just the same email addresss.
Betsy says:
03 February 2009 at 4:42 pm
did you send the confirmation back through your email to WordPress?
yes I did GeoT.
Betsy says:
03 February 2009 at 5:00 pm
yes I did GeoT.
_____
as long as your email address is the same @ WordPress and here it should work… it may take awhile to transfer though.
OK. The email addy is the same so I won’t worry about it anymore.
Betsy says:
03 February 2009 at 5:07 pm
you uploaded a pic?
yep, I uploaded a pic.
Betsy,
mine took a while to go through too
Hi all – I finally made it back onto TM’s site. What a classy site! Especially the “We the People” part of the Constitution.
I will probably win “Idiot of the Year” since my problem getting back on the site took my husband exactly 30 seconds to fix.
LOL Jane. What were you doing wrong. I have her site listed on my bookmark toolbar, so I just click on it. This is really a beautiful blog.
Betsy – I love TM’s site. It’s gorgeous. Even tells us when we’re misspelling. Wow! Somehow when I was putting in my username I was adding an extra space so I kept coming up with that username rather than checking previous uses of the name. I felt a little dumb. It was like the time I had trouble with the keyboard and yelled for my husband and he came in and told me that if I wanted my keyboard to work it had to be plugged in. Ok so it was the last thing I looked at. I have to put her site on my bookmark toolbar.
I need to chill out tonight. My daughter’s in-laws were in a very serious car accident last night. Someone jumped a red light and her mother-in-law took the brunt of the impact (ruptured spleen requiring emergency surgery in the middle of the night and 6 fractured ribs). I ran up to daughter’s house to take care of two little ones (who were sick and had me up all night) so that she and her husband could go to the hospital. MIL is recovering but will be in the hospital for at least a week and will be in lots of pain for awhile.
Thanks for the updates with Hillary’s work as SoS!
I think she is doing an awesome job thus far!
Love the new look TM site!
There are plenty of us still really excited about Hillary’s future as SoS & there is much to discuss!
http://www.HillaryClintonForum.net